Fiberlock RECON Smoke Odour Sealer (White, 3090) is a water-based sealer and stain blocker that encapsulates malodours on structural surfaces. It is the final step on fire damage restoration projects, applied after the structure has been cleaned and the odour treated — not instead of either.
Fiberlock explains the difference this way: unlike typical water-based coatings that “wick” smoke odours and stains out of the substrate as they dry, RECON Smoke Odour Sealer with OdorLock technology prevents smoke odours and stains from migrating through the coating while maintaining its breathability.
Get one-coat odour control and continue to block odours even with seasonal changes in temperature and humidity when you use RECON Smoke Odour Sealer as your final step to encapsulate residual odours. Fiberlock notes that two coats may be required on some porous or heavily stained surfaces.
This listing is the white version in an 18.9 L (5 US gallon) pail. The clear version is RECON Smoke Odour Sealer (Clear) 5gal.
Features
- Permanently encapsulates smoke odours (Fiberlock's claim)
- Highly permeable; doesn’t trap moisture
- Can be applied in the ductwork
- Available in a tintable white or clear
- Excellent stain blocker
- Water-based and non-flammable
- Bonds to nearly any substrate
- Ideal for use in wall cavities
Where It Fits in a Smoke Odour Job
Smoke odour encapsulation is a final step that needs to be part of a comprehensive smoke/odour management protocol. Fiberlock's protocol is three steps:
- Odour cleaning — remove soot and smoke residue from the substrate.
- Odour neutralisation — treat what remains in the material.
- Odour encapsulation — seal in any residual odour with RECON Smoke Odour Sealer.
Fiberlock recommends cleaning with RECON Heavy Duty Cleaner or Extreme Duty Cleaner, followed by the application of RECON Extreme Duty Odour Counteractant. CCW does not currently list those three RECON products. Our Fire & Smoke Damage Chemicals range covers the cleaning and deodorising steps — ask us to match a cleaner and counteractant to the job.
A sealer is not a substitute for removing material that is too badly damaged to clean. If charred timber or saturated insulation is coming out anyway, seal what stays, not what goes.
How to Use
Surface Preparation
Prior to applying Fiberlock’s RECON Smoke Odour Sealer it is critical that the substrate be thoroughly cleaned. After the substrate is clean, dry, and sound apply RECON Smoke Odour Sealer to encapsulate any residual odours that remain.
Check moisture before you seal. Fiberlock says not to apply when surfaces are above a 15% moisture level content — after firefighting water, plasterboard and framing are often wetter than they look. A pin meter such as the Delmhorst BDX-20 gives you a recorded reading before the sealer goes on. Fiberlock does not state which meter scale the 15% figure refers to.
Lead paint: Fiberlock's data sheet warns that scraping, sanding or removing old paint may release lead dust, which is toxic. In older Australian buildings, assume lead paint may be present until tested, and follow your state WHS requirements for lead before disturbing painted surfaces.
Application Tools
Apply RECON Smoke Odour Sealer with a brush or airless spray equipment.
- Brush: Synthetic, nylon, or polyester bristle
- Roller: Not recommended
- Spray Settings: Pressure: 2200-3000 P.S.I. Tips: .017 to .023 tips
Product Application
Apply RECON Smoke Odour Sealer generously and uniformly by brush or airless spray. A roller application is not recommended. Apply one coat of RECON Smoke Odour Sealer and ensure that the finished surface is properly sealed. To ensure that the finished surface is properly sealed, two coats may be required on some porous or heavily stained surfaces. Topcoat floor applications when foot traffic or heavy storage is expected.
RECON Smoke Odour Sealer is tintable up to 2 oz. of universal liquid colorant per gallon (about 15 mL per litre).
HVAC Application
RECON Smoke Odour Sealer can be used to encapsulate malodors within HVAC systems as part of fire damage restoration. This product can be used in both fiberglass-lined and unlined ductwork. Surfaces should be clean, dry, and sound prior to application. RECON Smoke and Odour Sealer meets the requirements of NFPA 90A/90B standard.
NFPA 90A/90B and the ASTM tests below are US standards. Fiberlock publishes no Australian fire test for this product. Where a duct application forms part of a building's fire-rated or mechanical services work, confirm acceptance with the mechanical engineer or building certifier first. For coating damaged duct liner rather than sealing odour, see Fiberlock IAQ 8000 HVAC Insulation Coating.
Top Coating
Wait at least 24 hours prior to top coating @ 70 – 77°F (21–25 °C), 50% R.H. Lightly sand and clean the surface of Recon Smoke Odour Sealer prior to top coating. Do not topcoat Recon Smoke Odour Sealer with anything less than a quality 100% acrylic latex coating with an eggshell sheen or higher. Avoid enamel, alkyd, and oil-based paint topcoats. Test patch prior to application is recommended. Failure to follow these guidelines could result in cracking or “alligatoring” on certain substrates.
Coverage (Application Section of the Data Sheet)
- Smooth Surfaces: 200-400 ft2/gal.
- Porous Surfaces: 100-200 ft2/gal.
Note: Fiberlock's own data sheet gives two smooth-surface figures — 200–400 ft²/gal here, and 200–300 ft²/gal in its specification panel (used in the Technical Data section below). We show both. Plan on the lower figure until Fiberlock confirms.
Drying Time
- @ 70°F 50% R.H
- To Touch: 30 Min.
- Recoat: 4 Hours
Cleanup
Clean tools and drippings with warm soapy water before RECON Smoke Odour Sealer dries. Dispose of waste according to the SDS and your local regulations. The Australian SDS says not to let wash water from cleaning equipment enter drains.
Precautions
Store in a dry place at temperatures between 50°F (10°C) and 90°F. (32°C). Keep from freezing. Stir thoroughly. Do not mix with any other coatings, solvents, or colours in oil. Do not apply when air or surface temperature is below 50°F (10 °C), when drying conditions are poor or when surfaces are above a 15% moisture level content. Use adequate ventilation during application. When applying with a sprayer, wear a NIOSH-approved respirator with any R, P, N, or HE filter. For interior use only.
Two temperature figures appear in Fiberlock's data sheet: “do not apply below 50°F (10 °C)” in the precautions, and a minimum application temperature of 55°F (12.7 °C) in the specification panel. Use the higher figure.
CPVC pipe: Fiberlock advises checking pipe markings and contacting the pipe manufacturer before applying any Fiberlock product to CPVC pipe, as some coating chemicals can cause stress cracking.
Safety
The Australian SDS for the white version (ICP Group Australasia, issued April 2023) lists no hazard classification, pictogram or signal word. It declares titanium dioxide (5–10%) and 2,2,4-trimethyl-1,3-pentanediol monoisobutyrate (1–5%) as ingredients. The clear version's SDS notes that titanium dioxide is not present in clear bases.
- Transport: not regulated as dangerous goods (ADG, IATA, IMDG).
- Eyes: safety glasses with side shields or chemical goggles (AS/NZS 1337.1).
- Hands: general protective gloves, such as light rubber gloves.
- Spraying: the Australian SDS specifies a Type A filter of sufficient capacity (AS/NZS 1716 and 1715); Fiberlock's US data sheet calls for a NIOSH-approved respirator with any R, P, N or HE filter. CCW stocks the 3M 7502 and 3M 7503 half-face respirators and the 3M 60921 organic vapour/P100 cartridge. Confirm the combination meets your site's respirator selection.
Safety & Technical Data Sheets
- PDS
- Safety Data Sheet — white (Australia, April 2023)
- Safety Data Sheet, Clear 3091 (Australia, August 2026)
Technical data
From the Fiberlock product data sheet for Recon Smoke Odour Sealer (3090 white and 3091 clear). Imperial figures are the manufacturer's; the metric equivalents are ours.
- Solids by weight: 51.4% ±2%; by volume: 44.0% ±2%
- Viscosity: 75 Krebs units at 21 °C
- Gloss: 82° ±5 at 60°
- VOC: 68 g/L (white), 60 g/L (clear)
- Weight: 1.15 kg/L (9.6 lb/gal ±0.5)
- Flash point: non-combustible
- Shelf life: 36 months minimum in the original sealed container
Note: the August 2026 Australian SDS for the clear version lists a flash point of 100 °C and describes the product as combustible, where the US data sheet says “non-combustible”. CCW is confirming whether the white SDS (April 2023) is due for the same update.
Coverage
- Smooth surfaces: 4.9–7.4 m²/L (200–300 ft²/gal)
- Porous surfaces: 2.5–4.9 m²/L (100–200 ft²/gal)
Fire-damaged substrates sit at the porous end of that range. Charred timber and smoke-loaded plasterboard drink material — budget nearer 2.5 m²/L than 7.4.
Per 18.9 L pail, one coat: about 93–140 m² on smooth surfaces and 47–93 m² on porous surfaces, at the specification-panel rates. Allow for a second coat on heavily stained or porous areas.
Application
- Drying at 21–25 °C and 50% relative humidity: touch dry 30 minutes, recoat 4 hours, topcoat 24 hours
- Minimum application temperature: 12.8 °C
- In humid conditions, apply only when the surface temperature is 15.6 °C or above
- Airless spray: 0.017–0.023 inch tip at 152–207 bar (2,200–3,000 psi)
The 24-hour topcoat wait is the one that catches people out. Four hours to recoat with more sealer, but a full day before finish paint goes over it.
Independent test results
- ASTM E84 fire rating: Class A — flame spread 10, smoke developed 10
- ASTM C-411 heat rating; conforms to NFPA 90A and 90B
- Water vapour permeance (ASTM E96B): 19.274 perms, at the dry film thickness Fiberlock quotes on its data sheet
- Product label (18.9 L)
Specifications
| Brand | Fiberlock (ICP Construction; Australian SDS by ICP Group Australasia) |
| Product | RECON Smoke Odour Sealer, white (3090) |
| CCW SKU | FL3090-5 |
| Pack | 18.9 L (5 US gallon) pail — Fiberlock also makes a 1 gallon pack, not listed by CCW |
| Base | Water-based |
| Application | Brush or airless spray; roller not recommended |
| Use | Interior only; structural surfaces, wall cavities, lined and unlined ductwork |
| Storage | 10–32 °C, dry, keep from freezing |
| Transport | Not dangerous goods (ADG) |
Frequently Asked Questions
Clear or white?
Fiberlock publishes the same performance data for both, apart from VOC. The choice is about finish: white gives an opaque, uniform surface; clear leaves the substrate visible. Both can be tinted and both can be topcoated. For finished and decorative surfaces, Fiberlock points to RECON ULTRA Smoke Odour Sealer.
Can I seal over soot without cleaning first?
No. Fiberlock says it is critical that the substrate is thoroughly cleaned first, and that encapsulation is the last of three steps. Sealing over loose soot also gives the coating a poor surface to bond to.
Can I paint over it?
Yes, after at least 24 hours. Lightly sand and clean the surface, then use a quality 100% acrylic latex paint with an eggshell sheen or higher. Avoid enamel, alkyd and oil-based topcoats, and do a test patch first.
Can it go inside ductwork?
Yes. Fiberlock lists it for fibreglass-lined and unlined ductwork as part of fire damage restoration, on clean, dry, sound surfaces. The standards quoted are US standards — see the HVAC section above.
Why not use a roller?
Fiberlock does not recommend one. The sealer is designed to go on generously and uniformly by brush or airless spray.
How much will I need?
At the specification-panel rates, one 18.9 L pail covers roughly 47–93 m² of porous, fire-damaged surface or 93–140 m² of smooth surface per coat. Measure the areas and allow for a second coat where staining is heavy.
Related Products
- Fiberlock RECON Smoke Odour Sealer (Clear) 5gal
- Fiberlock RECON ULTRA Smoke Odour Sealer, White 5gal
- Fiberlock IAQ 8000 HVAC Insulation Coating
- Delmhorst BDX-20 Moisture Meter
- Fire & Smoke Damage Chemicals
- HVAC Cleaning Chemicals
- Fiberlock
Tell us the substrate, the square metres and how heavy the smoke damage is, and we will help you work out quantities and the right sealer.
